Introducing your
degree

This challenging degree takes an interdisciplinary view of the environment, embracing and integrating a wide range of subject areas. The course is structured so that you can develop specialist skills in either biodiversity and conservation, environmental change, aquatic environments and resources, or sustainable environmental management.

Overview

We will develop your core environmental science knowledge through a series of compulsory modules each year. You will also be able to specialise in one of four pathways, giving you control over your degree and career route:

The pathways focus on the major environmental challenges of the twenty-first century. You choose your pathway at the start of your degree, but there is flexibility to change pathways at the end of your first year. You will develop a portfolio of knowledge and experience around your specialised pathway.

There are plenty of opportunities for practical work on the course, including practical modules, field courses and a research project. You will learn to apply quantitative analysis and field research techniques.

In your final year, you will also undertake an independent research project, bringing together the skills and knowledge gained during your degree. This will be focused on environmental issues associated with your pathway.

The course places a large emphasis on employability and industrial engagement to prepare you for your career.

To Apply

All undergraduate applications to study BSc Environmental Science should be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

Find out how to apply and get further details about UCAS' website, phone and contact details. Specific application deadlines are available on the UCAS website.

Accreditation

This programme is accredited by the Committee of Heads of Environmental Sciences (CHES), the education committee of the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES). CHES is the collective voice of the environmental sciences academic community and serves to enhance the quality of environmental education worldwide. A programme accredited by CHES is assured to meet high standards, contain a strong component of practical, field and theoretical activities, and has excellent opportunities for training, work experience and links to the professional environmental sector. Students enrolled on CHES accredited programmes can apply for free Student Membership of the IES and for a fast-track route to membership once they graduate, starting you on a route towards becoming a Chartered Environmentalist or Chartered Scientist.

Programme Structure

The full-time course lasts for three years and leads to the degree of BSc Environmental Science with honours.

During your first year, you will develop a broad overview of the key areas of environmental science. In your second and third years, you will be able to choose optional modules to suit your own interests. You will also be required to undertake an individual project in your final year.

The first two years of the BSc and MEnvSci run in parallel. You may apply to transfer across to the four-year undergraduate course during year 1, subject to meeting requirements.

Key Facts

Nationally recognised sustainability programme

Learn from award-winning academics

Our Environmental Science courses integrate theory-based learning with field and project work

Students conducting a beach litter survey as part of a field course

Students doing forestry profiles after a day of field work on Dartmoor

Using drones for remote sensing

First year students get hands-on experience of a wide range of field work techniques

Harry Smith, graduate 2016

“What I learned was how to truly apply the theory I had learnt during my degree, and know how it would be used in a real future employment situation. I really believe that is the strength of the course here at Southampton and sets it apart from other courses as it has great emphasis on how to apply the theory from lectures and give you really important career development skills. ”

Entry Requirements

Typical entry requirements

GCSEs:

A Levels:

ABB (including two Sciences, Two science subjects from geography, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, psychology, geology and environmental studies, with a pass in the associated science practical)

GCE A-level and EPQ BBB (including two Sciences, Two science subjects from geography, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, psychology, geology and environmental studies, with a pass in the associated science practical) with grade A in the Extended Project Qualification

If you have professional experience, or credit through prior learning at another institution, you may be eligible to use this experience against some of the course entry requirements for period of study. You will need to present evidence that you have met the learning outcomes of the course. Full details can be found in the University’s Policy on the Recognition of Prior Learning. If you think this may apply to you, please contact the Faculty Admissions Manager: ugapply.fee@soton.ac.uk

English Language requirements

If your first language is not English, we need to ensure that your listening, written and spoken English skills would enable you to enjoy the full benefit of your studies. For entry onto our programmes, you will need an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5 or an equivalent qualification.

Contextual offers

The University of Southampton is committed to widening participation and ensuring that all students with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data supports our admissions teams to recognise a student’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Students who are recognised in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

A typical contextual offer is BBB (including two sciences, with a pass in the science practical (if applicable)) from three A levels or an equivalent standard in other qualifications approved by the University.

Selection process:

Intake:

45-55 in total for Environmental Science undergraduate degrees

Average applications per place:

4

The selection process involves consideration of all aspects of your application. We also look for a range of personal attributes in our students, such as enthusiasm, commitment and an interest in the environment. You should have an active willingness to develop your knowledge beyond what you have learned at school or college, and to acquire analytical and practical skills.

Science Foundation Year

Modules

Typical course content

In each year on this course, you must complete certain compulsory modules, plus a further number relating to your chosen pathway. Some modules may have pre-requisites (i.e. modules taken in previous years, or specific A- levels), so you can become more specialised as you progress.

In addition to this, our Curriculum Innovation Programme offers our students the chance to take optional modules outside their core disciplines, and includes interdisciplinary modules relevant to the environment and sustainability This allows you to personalise your education, to develop new skills and knowledge for your future.

Please refer to the individual pathway pages to view the modules for the relevant pathway.

Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the
programme and the learning outcomes that a typical
student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if s/he takes full advantage
of the learning opportunities that are provided.
More detailed information can be found in the programme handbook (or other appropriate guide
or website).

Fees & funding

Tuition fees

Course fees for 2017/18 full-time UK and EU undergraduate students are typically
£9,250 per year.
Tuition fees for international students differ between each course. Most
part-time courses cost 50% of the full-time fee.

Funding

Scholarships, bursaries or grants may be available to support you through your
course.
Funding opportunities available to you are linked to your subject area and/or
your country of origin.
These can be from the University of Southampton or other sources.

Costs associated with this course

Students are responsible for meeting the cost of essential textbooks, and of producing such
essays, assignments, laboratory reports and dissertations as are required to fulfil the
academic requirements for each programme of study.

There will also be further costs for the following, not purchasable from the
University:

Type

Description

Equipment

Approved calculator: Candidates may use calculators in the examination room only as specified by the University and as permitted by the rubric of individual examination papers. The University approved models are Casio FX-570 and Casio FX-85GT Plus. These may be purchased from any source and no longer need to carry the University logo.

Stationery

You will be expected to provide your own day-to-day stationery items, e.g. pens, pencils, notebooks, etc. Any specialist stationery items will be specified under the Additional Costs tab of the relevant module profile.

Books

Where a module specifies core texts these should generally be available on the reserve list in the library. However due to demand, students may prefer to buy their own copies. These can be purchased from any source.
Some modules suggest reading texts as optional background reading. The library may hold copies of such texts, or alternatively you may wish to purchase your own copies. Although not essential reading, you may benefit from the additional reading materials for the module.

Equipment

Design equipment and materials: Standard construction/modelling materials will be provided where appropriate, unless otherwise specified in a module profile. For customisation of designs/models calling for material other than standard construction/ modelling materials, students will bear the costs of such alternatives.

Clothing

Fieldcourse clothing: You will need to wear suitable clothing when attending fieldcourses, e.g. waterproofs, walking boots. You can purchase these from any source.

Printing and copying

In some cases, coursework and/or projects may be submitted electronically. Where it is not possible to submit electronically students will be liable for printing costs, which are detailed in the individual module profile.

In some cases you'll be able to choose modules (which may have different costs associated
with that module) which will change the overall cost of a programme to you. Please also
ensure you read the section on additional costs in the University’s Fees, Charges and
Expenses Regulations in the University Calendar available at www.calendar.soton.ac.uk.

We provide you with a dedicated Employment Officer who will help build your skills profile and point you in the right direction. We also have connections with local, national and international employers as well as the University Careers and Employability Service.

“What I learned was how to truly apply the theory I had learnt during my degree, and know how it would be used in a real future employment situation. I really believe that is the strength of the course here at Southampton and sets it apart from other courses as it has great emphasis on how to apply the theory from lectures and give you really important career development skills. ”

Learning & Assessment

Teaching and learning

At Southampton, our students form knowledge and understanding through a combination of lectures, tutorials, classes, field and laboratory work, coursework and projects. We will also work with you to develop transferable skills in areas such as professional reports and effective oral presentations. You can broaden your learning by joining our Environmental Sciences Student Society and by attending guest lectures. You can also become a student member of the Institution of Environmental Sciences. Employability is embedded in all areas of taught classes and assessment, to maximise your opportunity for employment on graduation.

A practical approach

Field and laboratory classes provide opportunities for students working in small groups to gather data or conduct experiments that demonstrate and support the theory taught in lectures. You will attend field trips, complete research projects and learn how to handle and analyse data using statistical methods and spatial tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Individual feedback is provided on all work submitted.

Ground-breaking research

Your education will be timely and relevant while you are taught by our world-leading academics who are at the forefront of their field. We also have a global network of partner organisations, shared facilities and expertise to draw on to advance your learning curve.

Assessment and examinations

Assessment is conducted through a combination of unseen written examinations and coursework, such as essays and project reports. You will also complete assessed tasks such as writing impact reports and an environmental policy for a small business. Our students regularly have work from their dissertations published in international research journals.

Student support

You will be assigned a personal tutor from the start of your degree, which will involve regular group tutorials and individual meetings to support you through the course of your studies here.

Course Director

Pathways

Pathways

This pathway on the BSc degree in Environmental Science examines the diversity of living organisms on earth and their interrelationships with the environment. Key themes include plant and animal diversity and evolution, behaviour, physiology, ecological theory and applications, population ecology, applied biology, pest control, and conservation biology.

Many of these subjects are covered in biological modules but can be supplemented with geographical and marine modules. Modules on this pathway explore the principles of ecology and their application in environmental management for wildlife conservation and sustainable development.

This pathway on the BSc degree in Environmental Science examines past and present environmental change from the local level through to the global scale. It helps students to develop scientific understanding with an emphasis on the drivers and impacts of environmental change. Thus, this pathway considers modern human-induced developments such as climate change, rising sea levels and ozone depletion in conjunction with natural climatic changes. Analysing these issues helps students to gain a deeper understanding of the magnitude of contemporary and predicted changes. Techniques used to monitor environmental changes, such as field and satellite image analysis, are often explored.

This pathway also encompasses the physical aspects of changing environments such as geomorphology, the sedimentary environment, hydrology, ocean circulation and environmental geology. The broad range of options available provides a balance between geology, geography and oceanography.

This pathway on the BSc degree in Environmental Science provides an insight into the human use of the environment and looks at how scientific principles, theories and methods can be applied to resolve environmental problems in sustainable ways.

The pathway focuses, in particular, on the applications of environmental science theory and its translation into different management approaches. This pathway has a strong vocational element that draws on the biological sciences, geography, geology, oceanography, engineering and law. Students develop specialist skills in a whole range of areas such as sustainability, resource management, conservation, land use and planning, environmental management and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

This pathway on the BSc degree in Environmental Science focuses on the biological, chemical, physical and management aspects of water in the environment. It also explores the interaction between humans, water and aquatic environments.

Aspects of aquatic environments and water-related resources, and our relationship with them, are covered through a diverse range of modules encompassing hydrology, geomorphology, oceanography, aquatic ecology and river management.

Students can develop their knowledge of both freshwater and marine environments, combined with the study of water as an essential resource.